KANSAI Close-up

Japanese Government approves Osaka city's bid for 2008 Olympics

The Cabinet on December 11 approved Osaka City's bid for the 29th Olympic Games in 2008. On the basis of the central government decision, Osaka City and the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) will establish a national Olympics bid committee and launch a global campaign to bid for the 2008 Olympiad.The site for the 2008 Olympics will be decided at a general meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2001.If Osaka's bid is accepted, the OSAKA Olympics will last for 17 days from July 25 through August 10. Osaka City plans to construct Games facilities and the Olympic Village on two man-made islands, Maishima and Yumeshima, on the Osaka Bay, which will make the 2008 Olympics the first ever Olympics on the sea.In conformity with the Olympic Charter, under which each Olympiad is to be held at one city, 75% of related facilities will be built within the city and all 28 official games authorized by the Charter will be held. Osaka City will also aim at realizing the environment-friendly Olympics, including the use of clean energy.Toronto (Canada), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Istanbul (Turkey), Sevilla (Spain), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Beijing (China) and Paris (France) are also among the cities proposing to host the 2008 Olympics, and so there will be bitter competition among bidders.The outline of Osaka's Olympic plans is available on the homepage of the Internet: http://www.city.osaka.jp/english/olympic/olymmain.htmlFollowing the Cabinet decision, Osaka Mayor Takafumi Isomura issued the following statement:""With the Cabinet approval, we are finally able to start full-fledged preparations for establishing the bid committee. We are now fully qualified to say that we represent Japan, and this gives us great strength.The long list of strong candidate cities is expected to intensify the race, but Osaka's proven record of urban development and capability to host a highly organized and captivating Olympics is sure to appeal to everyone. Osaka will eagerly take up the challenge presented by other competing cities.We feel that, above all, the enthusiastic support of the citizens of Osaka as well as of the entire country is important for us. We will make every effort possible to promoting, to the IOC members worldwide, the outstanding assets an Osaka Olympics would present and the enthusiasm of people throughout Japan. We need all the understanding and assistance you will be able to give us.""